Polar Molar is macrobert’s Christmas show for 3 to 5 year olds this winter and well, it’s just lovely! Written by Abigail Docherty and directed by Lu Kemp, this magical adventure has a clear sense that the environment is important and shouldn’t be destroyed and yet still full of silliness. Thom Dibdin from The Stage describes Polar Molar as “a charmingly imaginative adventure” you can read the full review here.

SO… It’s the year 2020. Captain Scot Scott and his dog Dogbog have been sent on a mission to find the last polar bear. But no one has seen a polar bear in years – they don’t know what it looks like or how to find it. You, the audience are the little huskies that help Captain Scot Scott drive the snowmobile and encounter some cheeky animals along the way…

Running until 31st December 2011

Still some tickets left, grab yours now online here or call us on 01786 466666

I saw the show a few times at the Lyric, and in the Novello and fell in love with it, then I had the opportunity to do the show whilst in training at Mountview, and fell in love with it even more. I knew sell a door were putting on a production so decided to send off my cv and headshot, auditioned and was offered the role before I left Drama School, so I was very lucky.

How do you feel you relate to your character?

I will probably find a lot of things in the rehearsal room that I relate to in Otto but initially, I guess I can remember going through the stages of Puberty where I questioned a lot of things, which can be frustrating.

What are you most excited about for the tour?

Honestly, just getting some experience, because it is my first professional job. I am looking forward to seeing lots of different venues and putting my training into practice with regards to adjusting to each space. Of course, I look forward to going to home turf in Scotland, it will be nice to perform in my first professional show somewhere close to home.

Spring Awakening is based on the relatively old play version. How do you think new, younger audiences can relate to it?

I think it has stayed very true to the original with regards to the script and I think part of its beauty as a piece is how Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater have put these amazing contemporary pop/rock songs to a show set in 1891 Germany! People will definitely relate to it because it’s all about sexual exploration and deals with issues that are very public in today’s society. I think audiences who have not seen the show will be surprised at how relevant it is and how issues that may be easy to deal with now, were just kept from children back in the 19th Century and audiences will therefore, feel more compassion for all the characters in the piece.

Your touring to many cities’s in the UK that have never seen Spring Awakening the musical. Are you nervous?

Not at all! I cannot wait to get promoting this amazing piece of theatre around the UK. I think with any piece of theatre, it is likely to have fans and people who are not so keen but to anyone who has heard of this show and who has not seen it, I would recommend just come to one of the venues and see it – they probably won’t be disappointed. It has a lot of fans around the country who either saw it in London or love the sound track so I guess I am nervous for them to see the production, they are going to be the biggest critics because we are not the Original London Cast and it will look different and has a different creative team. So although the motions of the show will be the same, it will be a completely different show.

Are your friends and family excited to see the production?

Yes, its very exciting for them to see me in a professional show, without having to travel to somewhere in London. It is just easier for them. But they’d be excited to see it anywhere. I am so so thankful to have such a wonderful supportive family and friends.

Where did you grow up?

In a little town called Blairgowrie in Perthshire – North East Scotland.

Are you known by your stage name, or other?

I am known to friends and family as Dan.

Which schools did you attend in the area?

St Columba’s RC High School – Perth

What local amateur or professional performance companies did you work with? Tell us a bit about your experience?

I was involved in the Blairgowrie Players for a number of years doing Panto’s, working from chorus parts and then was offered a lot of Principle Roles, which were always great fun. I took part in 2 SCDA Festivals in the Birnam Institute. I was also a member of Zodiac Amateur Productions (ZAP) who performed shows in Dundee’s Whitehall Theatre, which were as close to professional as I got in my youth.

How did you get involved in the performing arts?

I can’t really remember, I remember playing a Market Stall holder at primary school in a production or in a class – and then from that moment I knew I wanted to be an actor! I think someone I knew performed in the Blairgowrie Players and got me involved.

Did you perform locally in any town halls or in any competitions or concerts?

The Blairgowrie Town Hall was the main haunt for my amateur days! I did the SCDA Festivals in Birnam. I never took part in any competitions and the only concerts I did were in High School, the annual Christmas Concerts!

Are you touring anywhere close to where you come from originally?

Edinburgh is close to home and Stirling is even closer so I cannot wait to be performing close to home!!

Have any of your family or friends gone out of their way to support you in your career endeavours to date?

Well my parents have gone out of their way financially to help me through Drama School – which I will never forget and cannot wait to be in a position to pay them back one day. They came down to London a few times in my final year to see me in each of my third year shows which was always nice.

Any advice for local aspiring performers who may be thinking of pursuing a career in the performing arts?

Go with your heart – I was told at school I was to stay for my final year and earn “real qualifications” because becoming an actor was not a “real career choice” but, as they didn’t have any acting classes there, I left to earn a qualification in Acting from Adam Smith College in Kirkcaldy, and moved to London because I KNEW I wanted to pursue this career. I went to Drama School and I have ended up with a Degree. If you want to do it – audition for Drama School and learn from the best people in the most supportive atmosphere. Be prepared for rejection, be prepared for the most turbulent career choice of all time. Well, so I hear. I’m only just out of the Training Bubble, and have stepped into another! It is true though. It is a very roller coaster industry!

Spring Awakening

macrobert is proud to welcome award-winning Sell a Door Theatre Company with the first ever UK tour of Spring Awakening, a rock musical adaptation of the controversial 1891 German play of the same title by Frank Wedekind. A cult musical, it explores the confusion and desperation that ensue when the onrushing tide of hormones meets the ignorance of children raised by parents too embarrassed or prudish to discuss what those new urges signify. Spring Awakening has proved its popularity worldwide winning eight Tony Awards in 2007, including best musical, best book and score, four Drama Desk Awards and four Olivier Awards for it’s London production.

Flick-Flack-Fly! Diving, dancing and controlled falling feature in this new show Chouf Ouchouf, a performance like you’ve never seen: a highly skilled and witty display of the energy and joy where the performers go in search of Tangier’s urban beating heart….

Chouf Ouchouf, Arabic for ‘see and see again’ is a collaboration with Swiss artists Martin Zimmermann and Dimitri de Perrot and weaves together contemporary performance and traditional Moroccan acrobatics to evoke the danger, joy and urgency of a Moroccan medina… Just check out these outstanding photos and get yourself a ticket!

So, it’s been all go here at macrobert, we have had a very successful season so far with plenty of fab press reviews, audience feedback and just in general an amazing atmosphere!

At the moment we are in the process of recruiting two new directors, moving the office around, getting to grips with this year’s panto (yes, I know it’s only Spring!) and programming for another exciting season August – December 2011… uber busy here 🙂

Thought you would all like to know about Charlie and Lola’s Best Bestest Play which will be gracing the macrobert stage on the 5 & 6 April, this is the cutest show for kids 3+. Check out the production shots below;

With excitement we have released the 2011 January to June season today and now we can spill the beans on the new brochure design, the offers we have lined up and all the outstanding events taking place between then…

With five, yes five Scottish premieres, plenty home-grown Scottish talent, magical family friendly performances, early bird discounts and much more, you will not be disappointed.

From comedy and theatre to music, circus and physical theatre, macrobert has it all next season. Here is some highlights to whet your appetite:

Daniel Sloss: My GenerationPlus special guest Chris Forbes

After his successful gig at mFEST in 2010, Daniel Sloss, Scotland’s youngest comic prodigy and typical half-man-half-Xbox, hormone-ridden teenager, is back at macrobert by popular demand.

After sell-out performances in the UK and internationally award-winning choreographer, director and Sadler’s Wells associate Jasmin Vardimon returns to macrobert with the Scottish premiere of 7734. Dramatically epic in scale and content, 7734 features stunning designs, live video and a richly diverse soundtrack.

Starring Suzie Ferguson, SICK is a playful, powerful and poignant clown show which follows a patient through the absurdities of imposed routines and unexplained procedures, revealing her darkest thoughts and her wildest imaginings as medication, boredom and illness give wings to her flights of fancy.

Suitcase Circus features the most unlikely of performers including the world’s only acrobatic potato sack, a daredevil ski glove, an incredible dancing milkshake straw, the hypnotic tie snake Windsor Knot, and the lovable yet bizarre magical Mexican hat Timrek. As with all quality circuses, it is accompanied by wonderful live music.

The Medina, the old quarter. Dusk falls like a shutter, then the night. Silently the walls open, and amid the maze-like streets and along the rooftops figures move on secret agendas. What, or who, is in the bag? Collaborating with Swiss artists Zimmerman & de Perrot, Groupe acrobatique de Tanger return to the UK with stunning acrobatics in their new show that captures the danger, joy and urgency of life in Tangiers.

Paying tribute to one of the greatest icons of popular music, Dolly Parton, and featuring the stunning vocals, wit and charm of Andrea Pattison backed by an all-live four-piece band, be prepared to hear Dolly’s most celebrated material from all stages of her career.

P.S. Santa Claus is coming…
Don’t forget that macrobert’s Christmas panto Snow White of the Seven De’Wharffs started yesterday and from the laughing, screaming and grins from the children coming out of the performance it looks like it’s a hit already!

Well, what can I say, we have been rehearsing now for a couple of months and everything is really coming together. Karen (or the slave driver as we like to call her), has been putting us through our choreography and we are shedding the pounds faster than the contestants on America’s Biggest Loser! This is not good because myself and fellow henchman Doddit, need to gain about 10 stone in one and a half months. You see, as a henchman, you can’t get away with being 5 stone and, being the method actors that we are, no fat suits for us oh no! – just loads of pies. In fact, when I’m done here, I’m straight off to Greigs for some butties and cream cakes. You have to suffer for your art you know!

Joey as Pookie the Butler in last year’s Sleeping Beauty

So yeah, it’s really great fun working with my lovely friends the nuns, the De-wharffs, those strange walking talking foxes and the poor souls trapped inside a mirror (who are actually really friendly) and we are raring to go!

If you’ve seen this blog, maybe you can come to the show with a sign, that says “HODDIT! I READ YOUR BLOG!” so I can count how many people have read it (although I may be a bit busy at the time!). Anyway. Come to the Pantosphere. You know you want to!

Hoddit out!

Joey Lawrence is in this year’s Young Company for 2010’s panto Snow White of The Seven De’Wharffs, watch this space where some of the others in the Young Company will be talking to us about their roles.

Tickets are going fast so book now, call us on 01786 466666, book online or pop along and see us.